Coastguard could scupper Kate's Channel crossing

Kate Middleton's dragon boat crew were warned yesterday that they might have to call off their attempt to row across the Channel.

The all-girl team are running out of time to obtain permission to cross the world's busiest shipping lane. Without it, they face arrest by the French authorities.

The crew, known as The Sisterhood, plan to row from Dover to Cap Gris Nez, near Calais, on August 25 to raise money for charity.

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But they need advance permission for what is officially termed an '"unorthodox crossing" of the Dover Straits.

This process can take a month - but the crew left it until yesterday to contact British coastguards.

It is unlikely their request will have been given a warm reception as the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has said attempting the crossing in a glass-fibre boat designed for use on lakes and rivers is "highly irresponsible".

Coastguard spokesman Mike Toogood said: "This is the most dangerous shipping lane in the world.

"We have 500 vessels making this crossing every single day. You can't just turn up and set off - you need permission.

"Not getting this will put lives in real danger - not just theirs, but everyone in the Channel that day.

"Also, a dragon boat has a flat bottom so it tends to go through the waves rather than over them, meaning their craft could quickly become swamped with water."

Even if the crew do get permission, they will have to contend with many hazards on the 21-mile journey.

These include 1,000ft container ships, some carrying dangerous cargos, as well as ferries with up to 2,400 passengers on board, unpredictable shoals and sandbanks and rapidly changing weather conditions.

Former Transatlantic rower Richard Pullen, who is helping organise the cooking insisted the paperwork was all in hand.

"We've submitted all our applications and gone through all the proper approval processes," he said.

"We're all experienced sailors and we're going over and above the necessary safety requirements."

Mr Toogood seemed unconvince saying: "Even with the best will in the world, I cannot see it going ahead. They have just left so very little time."

"If they still wanted to do it, I would get them to consider crossing somewhere else - like from Southampton to the Isle of Wight."